Design Competition

Green and Affordable Homes for Kimberley

Design Competition

Kimberley, BC is a dynamic community in the East Kootenays, in the southeast corner of British Columbia. Kimberley is a community that appreciates creative, practical ways of getting things done today, looking to the future in order to help us deal with the needs of our community in the present. We are developing a strong green building community.
 
In support of these efforts, we are sponsoring a Green and Affordable Homes for Kimberley Design Competition. This is a competition that will cover for a design to concept, not to final detail, of two units of green and affordable housing. The winning entry will be used to inform the final design and construction of affordable housing units in Kimberley.

Deadline: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 12 noon sharp.

Please note that we had posted FRIDAY, January 28th, intending THURSDAY, January 28th.  If you are unable to make the deadline due to this error or courier cut-off times, please contact Kevin Brown at 250-427-5150 or 403-400-2022..

Scope: The design to concept of sustainable, affordable homes for Kimberley, BC, Canada. Submissions must address the three legs of the sustainability tripod:

• ecology: the design lessens or removes environmental impacts;
• society: the design is healthy, comfortable and delightful;
• economy: the design is affordable in construction and operation.

Submissions must demonstrate how they address these concerns.
 
Submission: The competition will close at 12 noon, January 28, 2010. Submissions must be one printed poster, 22" X 17", and one CD containing: a copy of the poster, floor plans and elevations, one structural cross section of the design and an explanation of the heating, cooling and fresh air system. One sheet of optional schematic drawings to communicate the design intent can be included.
 
Entries shall be submitted to City of Kimberley, 340 Spokane Street, Kimberley, BC V1A 2E8.
 
Exhibition: Entries will be exhibited at Building Sustainability: A Green Homes and Renovations Conference , Kimberley, BC, January 29 and 30, 2010. They will be showcased during our opening evening event:  Onstage at MicKim:  Talking About Green Building, at McKim Theatre, 689 Rotary Drive, Kimberley, BC., 7 pm, Friday January 29.  The winning entry will be announced Friday, February 5, 2010, in Kimberley, BC.  All entrants will receive notice of the winner, with comments on their entry.
 
Prize: The winning entry will receive a $1000 cash award prize sponsored by the Kimberley Affordable Housing Committee. The winner will also have the opportunity of working with the Kimberley Affordable Housing Committee to collaborate on final design for affordable housing units to be constructed in Kimberley. The winner will also gain promotion via mention in press releases and marketing materials for the Kimberley Affordable Housing Project.
 
Intellectual Property: Designs will remain the intellectual property of the designer; however the winning entry will confer non-exclusive rights to the City of Kimberley and the Kimberley Affordable Housing Committee, for use in constructing affordable housing in Kimberley.
 
The Site (347 Stiles Street, Kimberley, BC): For the purposes of the design competition, the selected site is one that is owned by the City of Kimberley. The site is irregularly shaped, approximately 588m2 in area and located within an existing neighbourhood in close proximity to Mark Creek, Wallinger Avenue (Highway 95A) and the Kimberley Nature Park. Community facilities including the Skate and Bike Park, Aquatic Centre, Civic Centre (ice arena), Curling Club, Rotary Park and downtown Kimberley are all within easy walking distance.  A site map and photos are available for download below. Please call Andy Christie, Building Inspector at the City of Kimberley, at 250-427-5311, ext. 208.

Criteria: Submissions must address the three legs of the sustainability tripod:
Ecology: the design reduces or removes environmental impacts;
Society: the design is healthy, comfortable and appealing;
Economy: the design is affordable in construction and operation.

Each submission must clearly demonstrate and explain how these basic fundamental criteria have been addressed. Submissions will be judged according to their relative merits, but must also consider the following criteria:

• Designs shall be as energy and water efficient as possible:
  • Designs shall consider durability and environmental impact of materials.
  • Designs must take advantage of Kimberley's abundant sunlight. Consideration of passive solar heating and cooling is required.
  • Designs are for Kimberley and must demonstrate site specific and regional environmental considerations.
  • Designs must meet or exceed current edition of BC Building Code including recent changes to insulation and energy performance.
  • The concept must take advantage of the industrial capacity of the East Kootenay, and endeavour to source materials locally.
  • The life cycle of materials is to be considered and selections must reduce or eliminate environmental impact in their creation, installation, use and disposal or reuse.
  • Landscape design must be included as an integral part of the overall concept.
  • Roof design shall consider Kimberley's frequent large accumulations of snow. Access points must be protected from snow shed and ice accumulation.
  • Other strategies will be encouraged and judged according to the reduction of total materials, energy, and environmental impact.
• Concepts must demonstrate affordability in construction, operation and maintenance over the life of the building.
• Designs must include two dwelling units that share a common roof and foundation and are separated by a common wall and fire separation.
• Concepts must demonstrate compliance with the following 'R2' zoning regulations:
  • Minimum front setback: 6m
  • Minimum rear setback: 6m
  • Minimum interior side yard setback: 1.5m
  • Maximum height: 9.1m (measured from grade to highest point of roof)
  • Maximum site coverage: 0.4
• Designs must demonstrate a healthy and comfortable living environment.
• Designs must demonstrate wheelchair accessibility to the main living area and at least one bedroom and bathroom.
• Complex materials and systems can be utilized, but the benefits of using them must be demonstrated, otherwise commonly available materials and systems will carry greater weight.
• Consideration of adjacent properties and physical characteristics of the site must be demonstrated in the overall concept.

Kimberley Solar: Essential Info
Longitude: -115°56'16.8 Latitude: 49°40'34.32
Heating degree days: 4750 aprox.
BC Code: for this zone is 3500-4500

For more information, please contact: General Information:
Kevin D Brown, MEDes(ID)
nicoltravel (at) gmail.com
 
City Regulation and Code Compliance:
Andy Christie, Building Inspector
250-427-5311, ext 208